Interlocking tab device

Abstract

An interlocking assembly for joining a first surface and a second surface which consists of an interlocking unit on each surface. Each interlocking unit includes an entry aperture; a locking aperture; and an interlocking tab affixed to an edge of the entry aperture, the interlocking tab comprising a locking member. The units are locked as follows: the interlocking tab of the first interlocking unit fits through the entry aperture of the second interlocking unit and the locking member of the first interlocking unit fits onto the locking aperture of the second interlocking unit; while simultaneously, the interlocking tab of the second interlocking unit fits through the entry aperture of the first interlocking unit and the locking member of the second interlocking unit fits onto the locking aperture of the first interlocking unit.

1 . An interlocking assembly for joining a first surface and a second surface, the interlocking assembly consisting of an interlocking unit on each surface, each interlocking unit comprising:
 a. an entry aperture;   b. a locking aperture;   c. a tab connector;   d. an interlocking tab affixed to an edge of the entry aperture via the tab connector, the interlocking tab comprising a locking member;   wherein:   simultaneously, the interlocking tab of the first interlocking unit fits through the entry aperture of the second interlocking unit and the locking member of the first interlocking unit fits onto the locking aperture of the second interlocking unit; and the interlocking tab of the second interlocking unit fits through the entry aperture of the first interlocking unit and the locking member of the second interlocking unit fits onto the locking aperture of the first interlocking unit.   
     
     
         2 . The interlocking assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second surface each comprises sheet metal, and each interlocking unit is stamped onto each surface. 
     
     
         3 . The interlocking assembly of  claim 2 , wherein each surface forms part of a roof curb. 
     
     
         4 . The interlocking assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tab connector is perpendicular to a plane of the entry aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The interlocking assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the locking member has a surface concave to a plane of the entry aperture. 
     
     
         6 . The interlocking assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the locking member has a hook or tab structure. 
     
     
         7 . The interlocking assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a length of the entry aperture is equal to at least twice a length of the interlocking tab. 
     
     
         8 . The interlocking assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the length of the entry aperture is equal to twice the length of the interlocking tab. 
     
     
         9 . The interlocking assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a distance between the entry aperture and the locking aperture is at least less than or equal to a length of the interlocking tab. 
     
     
         10 . The interlocking assembly of  claim 9  wherein the distance between the entry aperture and the locking aperture is at equal to the length of the interlocking tab. 
     
     
         11 . The interlocking assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of each surface is less than or equal to a distance between an upper plane of the interlocking tab and a lower plane of the entry aperture. 
     
     
         12 . The interlocking assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the thickness of each surface is equal to a distance between the upper plane of the interlocking tab and the lower plane of the entry aperture.